Choir Leadership

Voices in Harmony: Guiding Melody and Mission

Our choir’s resonance stems not just from the rich timbre of voices joining in song, but from the steadfast leadership that shapes our purpose and path. Each note we sing is a testament to the guidance of our dedicated musical team who, with vision and expertise, create a harmony that extends beyond the music sheet. It is their passion, commitment, and unwavering direction that empowers us to elevate our performances and embody the excellence of Welsh male voice choir tradition.

March 2017 Group - Tredegar Orpheus Male Voice Choir

Meet the dedicated stewards of the Tredegar Orpheus Male Voice Choir. Each one plays a pivotal role in weaving the fabric of our musical legacy, maintaining the vibrancy of our choir, and steering us toward a harmonious future.

Have a peek at what we get up to! Our choir is like a big friendly family who loves to sing. We meet up to practise our songs, and then we perform for people all over the place. It’s like a grand musical adventure every time!

Countries Performed In

Pauline Roden-Sharpe B.Ed. (Hons) PGCert

Musical Director / Conductor

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Pauline is a new face to Tredegar Orpheus Male Voice Choir, having only recently taken on the position as their Musical Director. A teacher by profession, she studied Expressive Arts at Gwent College of Higher Education and attained her Bachelor of Education (Honours) degree in 1992. It was also later that year, when her association with male voice singing began as she became the Accompanist for Cwm Male Choir, a role that she held for 3 years until she then graduated to become their Musical Director in November 1995. At that time, Pauline was on one of the few ladies to take on the challenge of being a Musical Director as this was, traditionally, seen as a male occupied position. Sadly, due to the Coronavirus pandemic and falling numbers, Cwm Male Choir disbanded in August 2021.

After a teaching career that has spanned 30 years, and latterly as a deputy headteacher, Pauline decided to move away from being in front of the class and made a return to the classroom as a university student where she studied a Master’s Degree in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Recently, Pauline has taken a position with the National Youth Advocacy Service and works as a professional independent advocate. Pauline has several musical interests which include playing the piano and the clarinet, she also has a fine soprano voice and is Chairperson of the Mynyddislwyn Ladies Choir, assisting either as accompanist or rehearsal conductor when necessary. She enjoys arranging music for male choirs and exploring additions to repertoire whilst at the same time, ensuring the tradition of male voice singing remains strong.

Trevor White

Chairman

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Steering the choir with vision and poise, our Chairman is the cornerstone of the executive committee. They preside over meetings with a steady hand and represent our collective voice at public events. Their strategic acumen ensures that our choir not only thrives artistically but operates seamlessly, embodying both our musical heritage and our future aspirations.

Helen Philips

Accompanist

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Speciality

Helen was born in Tredegar and has been involved in the world of music since a very early age. Helen began playing the piano at the tender age of 7yrs and at the age of 16 had passed all eight grades of the Royal School of Music Associated Board Pianoforte Examinations. Helen also studied vocal training with Miss Ruth Packer at the Welsh College of Music & Drama, Cardiff, but whilst she appeared on many occasions as a soloist, she preferred the role of accompanist and making others shine with her very lyrical and supportive accompaniment.

Starting as a percussionist, Helen played with the Gwent Youth Brass Band and progressed to become a member of the highly successful Tredegar Town Band.

Helen is an accompanist of considerable experience and versatility and has accompanied many accomplished artistes at home and abroad, several amateur operatic societies and numerous male choirs that include Llantrisant, Bargoed, Ebbw Vale and Tredegar.

Helen was appointed accompanist with the choir in 1991 and arranges a considerable amount of the choir’s repertoire. Together with the knowledge and enthusiasm of the Musical Director, they make a formidable team of which the choir are very proud.

Despite having been offered a place to study music at Cardiff University, Helen chose a profession in Law and currently works for Caerphilly County Borough Council.

Role

With dexterity and grace, our Accompanist provides the instrumental backbone to our choir’s vocal expression. Whether in the subtle undertones of a piano or the rich layers of another instrument, their accompaniment is indispensable. In harmony with the Musical Director, they refine our performances, their musicianship enhancing each note we sing.

Sheridan Jeffery

Secretary

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Sheridan was born in Maesteg and was an active member of the Operatic Society there as well as singing in his local church choir. He moved to Tredegar in 1995 and although he has an eclectic taste in music, he loves the companionship and joy of singing in a choir. In 2016 aged 63 he joined Tredegar Orpheus eventually becoming their Secretary before leaving in 2019. This was a time before the COVID pandemic, when Choral music was banned as we were not permitted to meet and sing in groups under strict COVID rules. Realising he missed the camaraderie of the choir, he returned to the Orpheus in 2022 and has been their Librarian since that time. He added to those duties when in 2024 he had the honour of once again becoming the choir’s Secretary.

Librarian Role

In the realm of musical scores and resources, our Librarian stands guard. Their expertise ensures that every choir member has the right materials at their fingertips, and the music library is masterfully curated. Whether sourcing new pieces or organising existing collections, their role is instrumental in orchestrating our choral harmony.

Secretary’s Role:

Our Secretary is the diligent scribe and communicator of the choir, ensuring that every administrative detail is attended to with meticulous care. From cataloguing minutes to managing our correspondence, he is the bedrock of our organisational efficiency. Beyond paperwork, his organisational skills are vital in keeping our choir in perfect sync.

Jonathan Waite – Deputy Musical Director

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Jonathan started his music journey at the age of 6 years of age with Blaenavon Youth Brass Band, following in the footsteps of his brother, sister and father and worked his way up to Principle Cornet at 13 years of age. He then joined the World Famous Tredegar Brass Band and later the Tredegar Youth Band where again he worked his way up to Principle Cornet as well as being selected for the Gwent Youth Band competing in the South East Wales solo competitions. In the early 90s, Jonathan joined Ebbw Vale Town Band and enjoyed great success over a number of years. In 1997 he joined the Abergavenny Town Championship Band playing as Solo Cornet gaining invaluable musical experience. In 2000 Jonathan took a break from music until he took over the baton at Blaenavon Concert Band which he holds to the present day. In 2010 Jonathan made the leap to choral singing with Tredegar Orpheus, starting in the Bass section before adding his considerable talents to the Second Tenors. Jonathan was assistant conductor to his brother Ian and when he resigned in 2022, Jonathan took over as the Temporary Musical Director filling in whilst we searched for a new permanent MD. During that time Jonathan and Accompanist Helen Phillips played a massive role in leading the choir through a number of concerts and holding the choir together until our new Musical Director was appointed in July 2024

David Hughes

Financial Secretary / Treasurer

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Our Financial Secretary, who often undertakes the role of Treasurer, is the guardian of the choir’s finances. With an astute understanding of budgeting and a meticulous approach to bookkeeping, they ensure the financial integrity of our choir. Their careful management of resources allows us to focus on what we love most: bringing music to life.

Choir Leadership

Pauline Roden-Sharpe B.Ed. (Hons) PGCert

Trevor White

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Helen Philips

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Sheridan Jeffery

Librarian Role

Jonathan Waite – Deputy Musical Director

David Hughes

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